- A year ago this month, Francisco Cordero was a guy with an ERA over 6.00 in Texas. Now he’s in Milwaukee, on pace for the greatest closer season of all time. Seven other closers have had fewer hits allowed than saves in a season of 20-plus saves. But Cordero is on pace for 59 saves, and just 19 hits. Which would obliterate Gagne’s record in that rarified category (55 saves, 37 hits in 2003). So what’s the difference? “His slider is better than I’ve ever seen it,” one scout said. “His fastball is 94-97 (mph). But his slider is 89-90-91. He’s got two dominant, hard pitches. And right now, he’s throwing them both for strikes.”

- The buzz in Houston is that the Astros don’t want to wait around until July to get in the trading mood because they’re not interested in letting this season slip away. So they’ve been sending signals they’re looking for an outfield bat, a dependable starting pitcher and a young catcher to succeed Brad Ausmus. And they would rather make those moves sooner than later.

- Clubs that have asked the Braves about Jarrod Saltalamacchia report they’ve been turned down flat. But by July, the Braves expect to have a better read on whether Scott Thorman is the answer at first and/or whether Saltalamacchia can be an alternative first base option. And those answers will determine whether Saltalamacchia becomes their No. 1 trading chip at the deadline—but only for a major player whom they’d control for multiple years.